Junior Zaire Richardson led all scorers with 17 points while fellow junior Kylen Bonner knocked down two key three-pointers in the second half as the San Tan Roadrunners punched their ticket to the AIA State Championship game following a 55-39 win over Phoenix Christian in the AIA 2A State Semifinals on Friday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. Sophomore Will Gordon also scored in double-digits with 10, while freshman Jase Benjamin added nine in a highly anticipated matchup between the two schools. 6'0 senior guard Jase Hagen led the Coyotes with 12, while 6'6 senior Bryce Anderson also finished in double figures with 11. San Tan will play Rancho Solano at 12:00 PM at Arizona Vetersns Memorial Coliseum.

San Tan's high-scoring offensive attack entered the game averaging 85.9 pts/game but it was Phoenix Christian's defense that slowed the Roadrunners down throughout the first half. With the Cougars focused on trying to shut down Region Player of the Year freshman Peyton Lubash, Richardson steadied San Tan early, scoring eight of the team's 12 first-quarter points while attacking the Cougar defense at-will. San Tan's defense - allowing just 44.3 pts/game Against Arizona Small Schools (1A, 2A, 3A) - would also take center stage as well as the Roadrunners held Phoenix Christian to just 5 first-quarter points, forcing several turnovers with their high-pressure defense. San Tan had multiple opportunities in the first half to extend their early lead to double-digits, but the Cougars would not go away, led by Hogan's eight first-half points as the Roadrunners took an 18-14 lead into halftime.

The Roadrunners came out of halftime finding their offense as Richardson added seven while Bonner made San Tan's only two three-pointers of the game, helping spark a run that allowed the Roadrunners to take a 37-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Phoenix Christian continued to battle hard, led by Anderson's five fourth-quarter points, hitting two incredibly difficult, contested shots to try and keep the Cougars alive. With the game cut down to seven with four minutes remaining, the Roadrunners showed they wanted to quiet the doubters that they can win close games. Senior Beau Burns took a key defensive charge and San Tan went 12-14 from the free throw line after missing five first-half free throws. Despite Richardson fouling out, the Roadrunners proved their depth in talent, getting key stops coming down the stretch and getting free throws from freshman Peyton Lubash, Burns, Benjamin, and Gordon to seal the game and take home the eventual 17-point victory, 55-39.

Championship Game Info

12:00 PM vs Rancho Solano Prep

Location:
Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1826 W McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Championship Info

Ticket Info

Live Stream on NFHS Network